Wild blow lead, Lose in shoot out

The game was not nearly as dreary as the headline suggests, but it is true. The Wild jumped on the Lightning late in the first period and then controlled play through the second period, but only mounted a 3-1 lead to show for it. Right when it looked like they could add to that lead they turned the puck over on a 3-on-2 and the lead was cut to one. That was the major turning point. Toughts and links below....

• The first comment has to be about Owen Nolan's incredible goal where he took the puck deep in his own defensive zone and beat his defenseman and scored on a beautiful rush up ice.
  
• The first goal of the game was nearly as pretty as James Sheppard split the two defensemen for Tampa Bay and then drew the goalie and defenders to him and slipped a pass over to Benoit Puliot who back-handed it in. It was the first point of the season for Sheppard. Sheppard and Puliot were great all night last night and was the most positive sign for Minnesota.
  
• Kim Johnnson scored the other goal for the Wild on the power play and it wasn't a typical Wild power play goal in that he slid down deep into the zone to receive the pass from Andrew Brunette. Johnnson's shot was perfect; upper corner above the goalie's shoulder. Johnnson was sorely missed and it's really showing. He plays with a fire that is great to see and communicates better than anyone on the ice. He's a great mix of defense and offense from the blue line.
  
• The goals allowed by the Wild were frustrating and here is my general synopsis:
  Tampa Goal 1:This was a terrible play Shane Hnidy. He should have just wrapped the puck around the boards and the wild would have had a rush up ice because the Lightning had both penalty killers down low. I will say that the coaches are to blame for having him out there on the PP. He in now way deserves that ice time and I'd like them to make a move at this 6th defenseman spot.
  Tampa Goal 2: It's in the story. Brodziak took his eyes off the puck and lost it on what was going to be a great Wild scoring chance. Kobasew backchecked hard but didn't finish the play and tie up.
  Tampa Goal 3: For some unexplained reason, when Stamkos gets the puck in the corner Shultz agressively skates to him leaving the front of the net open before his partner returned from the other corner. That's Pee Wee hockey stuff not to mention that with that much time left there is no reason to go hard after a guy in the corner. That's where you want the puck .
• Marty Havlat....He's averaging just over two shots per game. This is not good. Everyone wants more of him and again last night he was looking to pass too often. It seems like he'd be a perfect player to pair with a "shoot-first"/nasty shot forward. Someone like Brian Rolston. We don't have anyone really like that on this team, but now that Owen Nolan is skating with him, maybe he can try to be that guy. The other thing I'd like to see is him with paired up with a better forechecker who can help the Wild get the puck. It seems like Havlat's line just doesn't get enough puck possession. I think Cal Clutterbuck can be the shoot-first and forechecking forward Havlat needs to play with. I also think that when Eric Belanger is Havlat's center you end up getting a very passive line. Belanger doesn't have a killer instinct and seems to play some nights only to go through the motions. This may seem like a crazy line combo, but Puliot is a skilled passer like Havlat and I think those two would be nice together. I'd like to see Puliot center a line with Havlat and Clutterbuck. This means that either Shepard, Belanger or Brodziak would have to move to wing, and I am fine with that.

Watch Game Highlights HERE
Read AP Game Story HERE
Read Michael Russo-Star Tribune Game Story HERE
Read Michael Russo-Star Tribune Game Blog HERE
Read Bruce Brothers-Pioneer Press Game Story HERE